MLS playoff

Down but not out: Dynamo drop home playoff opener 2-0, need huge effort in Seattle to advance

Houston Dynamo in MLS Western Conference game against Seattle

The Dynamo posed for a group photo before the game.

Photo by Michelle Watson CatchLight Group

The Dynamo's hopes of reaching the MLS Cup took a serious blow Tuesday night when they lost to the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the first leg of the two-part Western Conference Finals.

Seattle got goals from Gustav Svensson and former Dynamo Will Bruin, and Houston was forced to play with 10 men for most of the match after Jalil Anibaba picked up a red card. The Dynamo created some chances late but could not overcome fatigue to get a goal.

With the two road goals, Seattle is in prime shape to end the series next week and advance to the MLS Cup to face Toronto or Columbus. It will be a tall task for the Dynamo, who won one road game all season against D.C. United, one of the worst teams in the league. And Seattle has just one home loss all year, to Toronto FC, the team with the best record in the league.

The Dynamo and Sounders will play in Seattle on Thursday, Nov. 30, with Seattle holding a 2-0 aggregate lead, with two critical road goals.

Photographer Michelle Watson was BBVA Compass Stadium to capture the action of Tuesday night's game in the photos above.

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This story originally appeared on SportsMap.

A scene from the Dynamo loss to Seattle in in the first leg of the two-part Western Conference Finals Tuesday night at Dynamo Stadium.

Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLight Group

A scene from the Dynamo loss to Seattle in in the first leg of the two-part Western Conference Finals Tuesday night at Dynamo Stadium.

sports

16,000 amateur athletes coming to Houston for Junior Olympic Games

Photo courtesy of Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)

Taekwondo is just one of the events showcased at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games

The finest young athletes in the nation will be heading to Houston for 12 days of intense competition as the city hosts the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games for the fourth time.

“We’re very excited to once again welcome the country’s best competitors and their families to Houston for the 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games,” Harris County - Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) CEO Ryan Walsh said in a statement. “The AAU has a long history of producing some of the most renowned athletes in the country, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of talent compete in this year’s events. It’s an honor to bring the AAU Junior Olympic Games back to our city.”

Competition will take place July 22 - August 2.

Founded in 1888, the AAU is the largest nonprofit youth multi-sports organization in the United States, and its Junior Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport youth event, featuring 16,000 athletes in this year's games. Previously, it was the primary feeder program for the International Olympic Games, and to this day many Olympic luminaries are AAU alumni. These include Houston's own gymnast Simone Biles, Dallas track star Sha’Carri Richardson, swimmer Katie Ledecky, and beach volleyball player Sara Hughes.

The schedule for the AAU Junior Olympics is as follows..

Swimming: Tuesday, July 22 - Sunday, July 27 at the Cy-Fair Natatorium
Indoor Sports: Wednesday, July 23 - Wednesday, July 30 at the George R. Brown Convention Center
- Baton Twirling, Dance, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Jump Rope, Karate, Taekwondo, Trampoline & Tumbling, Sports Stacking and Wrestling
Flag Football: Thursday, July 24 - Sunday, July 27 at Rice Stadium
Track & Field/Multi-Events: Saturday, July 26 - Saturday, August 2 at Turner Stadium
Field Hockey: Monday, July 28 - Thursday, July 31 at Episcopal High School

One notable aspect of Houston hosting is that the city is on track to be the second-most used home for the games. With Houston slated to also host in 2027 and 2031, the Bayou City will trail only Des Moines, IA.

“We are so excited to bring our premier event back to Houston,” AAU President Jo Mirza said. “The AAU Junior Olympic Games bring together athletes from all corners of the country and all walks of life to showcase their skills on a national stage. Harris County Houston Sports Authority has been an invaluable partner in helping us create such a successful event for these athletes and attendees.”

Tickets and more information can be found at HoustonSports.org.

MLS playoff

Down but not out: Dynamo drop home playoff opener 2-0, need huge effort in Seattle to advance

A scene from the Dynamo loss to Seattle in in the first leg of the two-part Western Conference Finals Tuesday night at Dynamo Stadium.

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16,000 amateur athletes coming to Houston for Junior Olympic Games